Omega-3 PUFA: good or bad for prostate cancer?
BACKGROUND
The objective of this meta-analysis was to estimate quantitatively the associations between intake or status of omega-3 polyunsaturated (omega-3 PUFA) fatty acids and occurrence of prostate cancer in observational studies in humans.


METHODS
We combined risk estimates across studies using random-effects models.


RESULTS
The combined estimate showed an increased risk of prostate cancer in men with a high intake or blood level of alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) (combined relative risk (RR) 1.36; 95% CI 1.08-1.70). The association is stronger in the case-control studies (RR 1.84; 95% CI 1.04-3.25) than in the prospective studies (RR 1.10; 0.91-1.32). Ecosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were not significantly associated with prostate cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
The association between high intake of ALA and prostate cancer is of concern and needs further study. However, the fact that the prospective studies do not show a clear association makes a true effect of intake of ALA on prostate cancer less likely.
Brouwer
Ingeborg A
IA
Department of Nutrition and Health, Institute of Health Sciences, VU University Amsterdam, De Boelelaan 1085, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands. ingeborg.brouwer@falw.vu.nl
D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid / Q000097:blood
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D017962:alpha-Linolenic Acid; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids